Hopper car discharge outlet sliding closure actuating mechanism



March 26, 1963 e. B. DOREY 3,082,700

HOPPER CAR DISCHARGE OUTLET SLIDING CLOSURE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR G. B. DOREY March 26, 1963 HOPPER CAR DISCHARGE OUTLET SLIDING CLOSURE ACTUATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 10, 1958- G. B. DOREY March 26, 1963 HOPPER CAR DISCHARGE OUTLET SLIDING CLOSURE ACTUATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 10, 1958 United States Patent Ofiice iifidzfihll Patented Mar. 26, 1963 3,082,700 HUPPER CAR DISCHARGE OUTLET SLIDING (ILOSURE ACTUATING MECHANISM George B. Dorey, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Enterprise Railway Equipment Company, Chicago,

EL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 1th, 1958, Ser. No. 772,837 7 Claims. (Cl. 105-253) The invention relates to an improved discharge outlet for a load containing hopper of the type having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for the opening.

The improvement more particularly relates to that type of hopper having a discharge area with a sliding gate for controlling discharge of lading into a chutelike enclosure below the opening defined by the discharge area. In a structure of this type wherein the opening is surrounded by a framing enclosure it is essential that the gate be moved by mechanism disposed entirely exteriorly of the chutelike enclosure and avoid interference with free fioW of lading by contact between the lading and mechanism parts. To this end the improved arrangement contemplates a structure wherein the operating mechanism is completely separated from the lading.

The objects of the invention among others are to provide an improved structure wherein a gate operating mechanism acts directly on the projecting end of a sliding gate to move the same; to provide mechanism acting on the end of a sliding gate wherein the mechanical advantage is multiplied at the initiation of the gate opening movement and obtain high breakaway force to separate the gate from the lading; to provide improved toggle act= ing mechanism for moving the gate and maintaining said gate in either closed or open position; to provide a sliding gate with upstanding side flanges and housings overlying said flanges to prevent seepage of lading at the sides of the gate; to provide a sliding gate with converging side flanges arranged to register with similarly converging upper walls of housings enclosing said flanges when the gate is in closed position; and to provide a gate so mounted and mechanism so related as to bias the gate to a completely closed position.

The invention further resides in certain details of construction associated with the movement of the gate and in the manner various elements are associated and coordinated to function towards the end of obtaining reliable operation and a tightly closed opening.

For further comprehension of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein the improvement is shown as applied to the hopper of a railway car.

In said drawings FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken through the lower part of a hopper car showing substantially one half of the car with the improved outlet applied thereto.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from left to right.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 With the floor sheets and side walls eliminated and certain parts broken away.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical fractional sectional view taken on a line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the outlet on a line 77 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View similar to FIG. 7 except that the gate is shown in opened position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 except that the gate is shown in a midway open position.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken through the lug of the gate and linkage on a line 1ll1tl of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken through the arm and linkage on a line 1111 of FIG. 7.

PEG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line 12-42 of FIG. 7, said view being on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be observed by reference to FIG. 1 that the present invention is applied to a railway hopper car with portions of the car being indicated by a center sill 1t and spaced outwardly there from by one side sill 11 along the lower part of a side wall 11'. Between the center sill 1t and the side sill 11 there is a hopper which is indicated, generally, at 12. It will be understood that two or more pairs of load containing hoppers, such as the hopper 12, are located on opposite sides of the center sill 16 Since the construction for each hopper 12 is identical, only one is shown. The hopper 12 is formed by oppositely sloping floors 13 and 1.4 and outer and inner side walls 15 and 16. The floors 13 and 14 and the side walls 15 and 16 are joined to form a foursided discharge area 17 through which lading in the hopper 12 can flow downwardly.

Surrounding the discharge area 17 at the lower margins of the oppositely sloping iloors 13 and 14 and side walls 15 and 16 is a foursided chute-like enclosure in the form of a frame which is indicated, generally, at 18. The frame 18 in the present embodiment preferably consists of a structure fabricated of plates and bar members. It is secured by welding or riveting to the lower margins of the oppositely sloping fioors 13 and 14 and side walls 15 and 16. It will be observed that the frame 18 includes upper walls 19 and 26 which overlie the oppositely sloping floors 13 and 14. Also the frame 18 includes upper side walls 21 and 22 which over-lie the outer and inner side walls 15 and 16 respectively. The upper walls 19 and 21 include depending portions 23 and 25 respectively and wall 22 is extended downwardly as at 26 to co-operate in forming a three-sided enclosure for a sliding gate 27. In order to slidably support the gate 27 and hold it in the closed position where discharge of lading through the discharge area is prevented, ledges 31, 32 and 33 are provided which extend from the depending walls 23, 25 and 26 respectively.

It will be understood that the gate 27 is slidably supported on ledges 32 and 33 at its sides and on ledge 31 at the leading end when the gate 27 is in fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 of the drawings.

The ledges 32 and 33 preferably consist of flat bar members of appreciable width, and extend beyond the discharge area to provide cantilever extensions 34 and 35 to support the gate in open position. The said ledges 32 and 33 are disposed at an incline to bias the gate towards closed position. Extending transversely between the bars forming ledges 32 and 33 there is a wall member 36 which with depending portions 25 and 26 in combination with wall 23 and the rail members 32 and 33 forms a foursided enclosure to receive and direct the flow of lading from the hopper.

It will be understood that a removable discharge chute (not shown) is arranged to be connected to the lower portion of the chute-like extension when the gate 27 is opened for discharge of lading. In order to hold such a removable chute in position lugs 37 are provided on and extend outwardly from the lower margin of chute walls 23 and 25. Grooves 33 and 39 extend from the chute walls 26 and 36 for receiving an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of the removable chute above referred to and the lugs 37 are arranged to have such flange clamped thereto.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 7 of the drawings the upper wall 24 has an undersurface 4t) beveled to lie adjacent the upper surface of the gate 27 and said surface 40 constitutes the upper surface of a slot 41 the lower side of which is formed by an upper surface 42 of the wall 36. It will be understood that the gate 27 is movable through the slot 41 between the upper wall 2% and the chute wall 36 between the open and closed positions.

The lower margin of wall 2th is reinforced by an angleshaped member 43. The trailing edge of the gate 27 is flanged upwardly as indicated at 44 to overlie the lower portion of wall 29 and its associated reinforcing member 43. The side edges of the gate 27 are each formed with upwardly extending flanges 45-45 which in combination with flange 44 provides a three-sided pan-shaped gate.

Hoods 46 and 47 extend inwardly from the side walls 25 and 26 and overlie the side flanges of the gate when the latter is in closed position. The said hoods each include an upper sloping roof portion 48 and 21 depending vertical wall section 49 and are secured in position by welding to the respective side walls 25 and 26 as indicated at d. The side flanges 4S45 taper from the trailing to the leading edge of the gate to present a beveled edge 51 as one face of a Wedge and co-operating with each said beveled edge when the gate is in closed position, is the under-surface 52 of the hoods 46 and 4-7 which are also inclined to the main body of the gate to register with and engage the edge 51 of the gate.

The gate 27 is movable to open position along the extension rails 34 and 35 as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the latter shown in midway open position. The trailing end of the gate is restrained against vertical displacement during its movement along the rails by means of guide strips 5353 disposed on the inner side of the rails 34 and 35 which are embraced by lugs 54 on the gate.

The lugs 54 are preferably formed by the projecting ends of a bar 55 which extends transversely across the underside of the gate and is spaced therefrom by blocks 56 to provide spacing clearance to accommodate the guide strips 53 between the undersurface of the gate and the said lugs 54.

The outer ends of the rails 32 and 33 on the cantilever extensions 34- and 35 are each provided with a bearing 57 in which a shaft 58 is rotatably mounted. The shaft 58 is preferably of non-circular form and is provided with circularly shaped sleeves 59 which fit in the bearings 57 and form journals for the shaft. Non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 58 are a pair of arms 6i 6tl which are pivotally united at 61 with linkage 62 and said linkage in turn is pivotally connected with the trailing end of the gate at 53 which is there fitted with lugs 64 for receiving the pivot of the linkage.

The linkage 62 preferably consists of a pair of elongated links 64 including a body portion 65 and integrally formed trunnions 66 adjacent each end, said trunnions 66 constituting the pivots 61 and 63 of the linkage. The arms 64 are apertured at 67 for receiving the trunnions 66 and similarly the links 64 are apertured at 68 for receiving the associated trunnions. The trunnions 66 as will be observed by reference to FIGS. and 11 are slightly deeper than one half the width of the arms 6 and the lugs 64' and when in operating position in facing relation in the aperture operate as spacers to maintain the links in proper spaced relation.

The body portions 65 of each pair of links are united together by a plate-like member 69 which is Welded to the links at 70 and said member is extended Well beyond the pivot 61 towards the axis of the shaft 58 and form an abutment '71 to engage with the pivoted arm and limit knuckling movement between the arm and linkage.

An operating head 72 is fitted on the outer end of the shaft 58 for effecting rotation of the latter by means of a suitable operating bar as indicated at 73 and a series of openings '74 is formed in the head for receiving such a bar.

The shaft 53 is arran ed to be locked in final position when the gate is in closed position by means of a locking dog 75 pivotally mounted on the rail 34 at 76 and swingable into engagement with an abutment 77 on the operating shaft 53. The dog and the abutment 77 are provided with registering apertures 78 and 79 for receiving a sealing ribbon.

The dog '75 is formed with integral laterally extending trunnions 89-80 which extend within apertures 81 and 82 formed in walls 83 and $4 of a bracket 85. The bracket 85 is fabricated of an angleshaped piece which includes wall 83 and an angularly related Wall 86 which forms the bottom of the assembly. The wall 34 is prefcrably a flat plate which is united to the wall 36 by' welding at 87. The bracket assembly is secured to the rail 32 on the cantilever extension 34 by welding at 83 and 89 and when assembled with the dog and positioned on the rail the bottom wall 36 functions as a stop to limit swinging movement of the dog.

It will be observed by reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 that the operating mechanism, when the gate is in closed position assumes substantially a straight line pressure from the shaft to the gate acting directly on the end thereof and that the axis 96 of the pivot 61 connecting the linkage and arms, lies substantially on this line thereby obtaining the multiplied mechanical advantage of the closing action of a toggle mechanism. The mechanical advantage obtained by the closing action of a toggle mechanism acting as it does towards the end of the gate closing operation and directly on the end of the gate is of importance in forcing the gate to the final closed position and thereby facilitating the displacement of any residue of lad-ing which might be retained on the ledges.

Conversely the opening action of the toggle mechanism provides essential breakaway force for initiating movement of the gate in an opening direction. It will be appreciated that as the gate moves in an opening direction the mechanical advantage above referred to decreases until a midway position is reached as seen in FIG. 9 after which on continued movement of the gate the mechanical advantage again increases. In the present arrangement such adverse effect as might arise at the midway position from the length of the arms is largely mitigated by placing the axis of the shaft well below the level of the runway on which the gate slides with the pivotal connection between the linkage and the gate disposed adjacent the runway at the extreme end of the gate thus limiting the angle of pull between the runway and the linkage as seen at 91. The pivot axis at 61 between the arms 6060 and linkages 62-62 passes through the path of movement of the gate 27 when it is moved from the closed position, shown in FIG. 7, through its intermediate position, shown in PEG. 9, to its full open position shown in FIG. 8. Even though the angle of pull is conservatively maintained by the relative position of the shaft and gate there is a lifting tendency for the trailing end of the gate and such tendency is counteracted by engagement between the lugs 54 and the guide strips 53.

The arms 69 are preferably located immediately adjacent the inner side of the rail members 34 and 35 and are held on the shaft against axial movement by rivets 92. Hub extensions 93 are provided at each side of the arms and said extensions 93 engage with the linkage 62 to limit rotating movement of the shaft upon movement of the gate to full open position.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination, a foursided chute-like enclosure defining a discharge opening, a sliding gate for said opening, said gate projecting beyond one of the sides of said enclosure to provide a portion projecting beyond said one side when said gate is in closed position, runways on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movable, said runways having distal ends extending outwardly of said one side of said enclosure for supporting said gate in open position; and mechanism acting directly on the projecting end of said gate for moving it between open and closed positions including a shaft rotatably mounted on said runways adjacent the distal ends thereof and having arm means fixedly mounted thereon and linkage pivotally connected with said arm means and with said gate, the pivot axis between said arm means and said linkage passing through the path of movement of said gate during a portion of its movement between open and closed positions.

2. In combination, a hopper having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for the opening, a foursided chutelike enclosure on said hopper below said gate, said gate, projecting above and beyond one of the sides of said enclosure to provide a portion projecting beyond said one side when said gate is in closed position, runways on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movable, said runways having distal ends extending outwardly of said one side of said enclosure for supporting said gate in open position; and mechanism acting directly on the projecting end of said gate for moving it between open and closed positions including a shaft rotatably mounted on said runways adjacent the distal ends thereof and having arm means fixedly mounted thereon and linkage pivotally connected with said arm means and with said gate, the pivot axis between said arm means and said linkage passing through the path of movement of said gate during a portion of its movement between open and closed positions.

3. The invention, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the runway surfaces slope downwardly to permit the gate to be biased by gravity to closed position and the linkage is arranged and adapted to swing downwardly to dispose the pivotal connection between the arm means and linkage below the level of the path of movement of said gate when said gate is closed and to swing upwardly above said runway surfaces during the major extent of movement of said gate.

4. The invention, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the runway surfaces slope downwardly to permit the gate to be biased by gravity to closed position and the linkage and arm means are arranged and adapted to fold and overhang the shaft when said gate is in open position whereby they operate as a counterweight and counteract downward movement of said gate along said runway surfaces.

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the arm means and linkage are swingable to dispose their pivot axis on a straight line joining the axis of rotation of the shaft and the axis of the pivotal connection of said linkage to the gate whereby a rigid strut-like connection is provided between said shaft and gate when the latter is closed to positively maintain it in closed position, said arm means and linkage at the end of their gate closing movement having an overhead approach to said gate whereby they gravitate into straightened position.

6. In combination, a hopper having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, a four sided enclosure on said hopper below said gate, said gate in closed position projecting at one end beyond said enclosure, rails on opposite sides of said enclosure underlying opposite sides of said gate and having distal ends projecting beyond one side of said enclosure for slidably supporting said gate for movement between open and closed positions, said gate and the gate supporting surfaces of said rails sloping downwardly from the distal ends of said rails to permit said gate to be biased by gravity to closed position; and mechanism acting on said projecting end of said gate for moving it including a shaft rotatably mounted on the projecting ends of said rails adjacent their distal ends, a pair of arms in spaced relation fixedly mounted on said shaft, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end to the distal ends of said arms respectively and at the other ends pivotally connected to said projecting end of said gate, said arms and links being swingable to dispose their pivot aXis on a straight line joining the axis of rotation of said shaft and the axis of the pivotal connection of said links to said gate to form a rigid strut-like connection between said shaft and said gate in the closed position thereof to maintain it positively closed, the pivot axis between said arms and links passing through the path of movement of said gate during a portion of its movement between open and closed positions.

7. In combination, a hopper having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing said opening, a frame on said hopper bordering said opening and having a slot at one end for the passage of said gate therethrough, said frame including at said one end a transversely extending member below said gate with its upper margin defining the lower margin of said slot, said gate in closed position having a projecting portion lying beyond said slot, rails secured to opposite sides of said hopper and having distal ends extending beyond said slot having supporting surfaces on which said gate is movable between open and closed positions, said gate and supporting surfaces of said rails sloping inwardly and downwardly of said frame to permit said gate to be biased by gravity toward closed position; and mechanism for moving said gate and retaining it in closed or open position as the case may be including a shaft rotatably mounted on the distal ends of said rails below said supporting surfaces, a pair of arms fixed to said shaft in spaced relation, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end to the distal ends of said arms respectively and at the other ends pivotally connected to said projecting end of said gate, the pivot axis of said arms and links passing through the path of movement of said gate during a portion of its movement between open and closed position, said arms and links being swingable to dispose their pivot axis on a straight line joining the axis of rotation of said shaft and the axis of the pivotal connection of said links to said gate to form a rigid strut-like connection between said shaft and said gate in the closed position thereof to maintain it positively closed, said strut-like connection when said gate is closed being inclined downwardly therefrom toward said shaft whereby said gate and shaft constitute a saddle back arrangement straddling said transverse memher at said slot, said arms and links upon movement of said gate to open position overhanging said shaft and functioning as a counterweight to oppose movement of said gate toward closed position, the location of said shaft below said supporting surfaces being such as to provide for the transmission of force through said links while maintaining a relatively small acute angle between said links and said supporting surfaces of said rails during the major portion of the movement of said gate between its open and closed positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,890 Bellows Mar. 6, 1900 729,266 Brenzinger May 26, 1903 962,465 Quinn June 28, 1910 998,326 Coleman July 18, 1911 1,019,875 Wright Mar. 12, 1912 1,813,928 Hosceit July 14, 1931 1,956,310 Boyd Apr. 24, 1934 2,145,173 Hankins Jan. 24, 1939 2,145,174 Hankins Jan. 24, 1939 2,238,296 Stock Apr. 15, 1941 2,317,007 Weniger Apr. 20, 1943 2,337,817 Hertrich Dec. 28, 1943 2,638,060 Dorey May 12, 1953 2,662,671 Almas Dec. 15, 1953 2,690,139 Dorey Sept. 28, 1954 2,738,735 Zimmer Mar. 20, 1956 2,751,861 Withall June 26, 1956 2,859,707 Dorey Nov. 11, 1958 2,869,480 Batho I an. 20, 1959 2,888,884 Fritz June 2, 1959 2,898,871 Dath Aug. 11, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,082, 700 March 26, 1963 George B. Dorey It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 5, lines 32 to 34, for "the path of movement of said gate when said gate is closed and to swing upwardly above said runway surfaces" read said runway surfaces when said gate is closed and to swing upwardly above the path of movement of said gate Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1963.

(SEAL) Att l EDWIN L. REYNOLDS ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer ting Commissioner of Patents 

1. A DISCHARGE OUTLET ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FOURSIDED CHUTE-LIKE ENCLOSURE DEFINING A DISCHARGE OPENING, A SLIDING GATE FOR SAID OPENING, SAID GATE PROJECTING BEYOND ONE OF THE SIDES OF SAID ENCLOSURE TO PROVIDE A PORTION PROJECTING BEYOND SAID ONE SIDE WHEN SAID GATE IS IN CLOSED POSITION, RUNWAYS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ENCLOSURE EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER ON WHICH SAID GATE IS MOVABLE, SAID RUNWAYS HAVING DISTAL ENDS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID ENCLOSURE FOR SUPPORTING SAID GATE IN OPEN POSITION; AND MECHANISM ACTING DIRECTLY ON THE PROJECTING END OF SAID GATE FOR MOVING IT BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS INCLUDING A SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID RUNWAYS ADJACENT THE DISTAL ENDS THEREOF AND HAVING ARM MEANS FIXEDLY MOUNTEDTHEREON AND LINKAGE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID ARM MEANS AND WITH SAID GATE, THE PIVOT AXIS BETWEEN SAID ARM MEANS AND SAID LINKAGE PASSING THROUGH THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID GATE DURING A PORTION OF ITS MOVEMENT BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS. 